Clip for Folded Fabrics

ABSTRACT

A clip for holding folded articles such as towels, fabrics, textiles, nonwoven fabrics, paper, and other sheets of material, includes a single piece construction having legs or braces separated by an opening. A cross member or hinge member connects the braces at one end. A tongue extends from the cross member and is biased to point into the opening between the braces. The tongue and braces can be opened to form a gap for inserting a folded fabric, such as a towel. The tongue and the cross member define holes or grooves for fitting buttons to hold decorative elements and accessories onto the folded fabric.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and incorporates by reference hereinU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/190,587 filed on Aug.29, 2008 and entitled “Towel Clip for Holding Towels in Place”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of clips for holding articles made offabric or textiles in a fixed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Articles made of fabric, whether high end fabrics such as silks or moreroutinely used terry cloth or jersey cotton, are often used or stored ina folded position. In particular, towels are often used and maintainedby folding. Whether folded over a towel rack or gathered within adecorative ring, towels can be most useful when they are maintained in aplace and manner that make them convenient to access. Such access oftenrequires textile articles, towels in particular, to be stored ordisplayed in a public way so that individuals know exactly where theyare. Such public display of textile articles has led to individualsusing textiles not only for their function but also as decoration. Moreand more individuals take time to ensure that their textile articles arestored, displayed, or used in the way they are intended but also in away that looks nice and enhances the decor of the area. A textilearticle, such as a towel, therefore, requires a certain amount ofmaintenance to keep the look that the owner would like for the area. Forexample, towels must be refolded after use or re-hung when accidentallyallowed to slip from their holder. The goal of any owner, therefore, isto minimize the maintenance required in keeping textile articles in adesired position. This goal has led to two needs—(i) a device that holdsa folded textile article in a desirable position and (ii) a way todecorate the device so that it improves the overall decor of the area inthe same way as the textile article.

The prior art sets forth numerous devices for holding folded textilearticles. The predominant group of such devices are basic jaw clips. Forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,126 (Davis, 1991), shows a one piece moldedplastic clamp in a clam shell orientation. The sides of the clam shellhave locking members that hold lower legs in a fixed position. Teeth onthe lower legs engage the towel to hold it within the clam shell. TheDavis '126 device, requires intricate manufacturing of the variousregions of the device, particularly the locking members, and the devicehas a definite industrial look that would not accomplish any aestheticgoal for the device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,924 (Willoughby, 1985) shows another one piecedevice with a flexible hinge portion connecting flat surface grips. Therespective flat surfaces have interlocking male and female members atone end to maintain a grip on a folded article within the flat surfaces.The interlocking members connect in only one position, and the clip ofthe Willoughby '924 fits only those textile articles of a single widththerein.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,721 (Erthein, 1977) discloses a clamping hangerhaving an arm and at least one pair of hinged clamping members integralwith the arm. The user squeezes the arm and a lower member provides abracing surface, allowing the arm to open one side of the hingedclamping members. Again, the clip disclosed in this patent fits onlycertain articles of a given width. The arm is also a highly stressedcomponent that absorbs all of the force used to open the clip. The arm,therefore, is likely to break after repeated use.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,514,885 (Delahousse 1985) illustrates yet another clipof a clothespin design. Two articulated arms are connected by a springmember such that the arms open and close about a textile article.

Similar to the Delahousse patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,947 (Cohen 1989)shows a clamp formed of a unitary piece of resilient material and has apair of opposed arms pivoted about an integral hinge member locatedbetween jaw and finger grip portions of the arms. The arms define a maleand female locking member to hold the clip in place. As in certain otherclips discussed above, the Delahousse clip requires precision molding toachieve properly sized and functional male and female locking members.The clip is normally disposed in an open position, which means that inthe event of failure of the locking members, the clip is completelynonfunctional.

Other clipping arrangements used in the textile sector include hangersthat have parallel clothespin type clips for hanging textile products.While these kinds of hangers are useful in a retail environment, theclips do little to enhance any aesthetic quality of their surroundings.See U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,350,092 (Hollis 1994) and 6,964,342 (Wenzier 2005).

Towels and clips for arranging them have been the subject of numerouspatenting efforts over the years. For example, certain towel holdersinclude weighted extensions that hang over a towel rack to hold thetowels in place. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,458 (Schlager 1995) and U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 20080277359 (St. Martin 2008). U.S.Pat. No. 6,257,422 (Rios 2001) shows a v-shaped holder that can bemounted flush against a flat surface, such as a wall or a cabinet. Thev-shaped member is biased to close onto itself, and an interior,upwardly extending leg, jutting outwardly from one leg of the “v,”presses into the back section of the v-shaped member from the inside.The v-shaped member can be forced to open, a textile or other articlepushed into the open v-shaped member, and the clip will hold the textilearticle therein.

Although not focused on any aesthetic quality, other patents show towelclips for attaching to the person of an individual carrying a towel.U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,366 (Lucke 1983) shows a clip that slides onto abelt, pants, or any personal item capable of receiving one end of theclip. U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,406 (Shelby 1990) shows a standard clasp forattaching to a belt loop at one end and attaching a jaw clip mechanismto the other end. The jaw clip holds a personal towel for working out ina gym, playing golf, or engaging in any activity in which a towel isuseful on one's person.

Towel holders of single piece construction have proven useful in certainrounded designs. The round design has an interesting and appealing shapebut is apparently predominantly useful in wrapping a towel about a beachchair. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,123 (Prizzi 1997)(showing a towel holderconsisting of a plastic tube split lengthwise into two halves that fitabout a back bar of a beach chair); see also, United States DesignPatent No. D363,016 (Sipprelle III).

Overall, the prior art shows a need for a new kind of clip that allowsfor variously sized textile articles, particularly towels, to bemaintained in a defined folded position. The clip should also allow forcreativity in enhancing the aesthetics of the area in which the towel isstored and used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a clip for holding textiles in a folded position. Theclip is made of a flexible and resilient polymeric material, such as aplastic that has memory to retain its original shape. The clip ischaracterized in part by a pair of braces having first and second ends.The braces define an opening between the braces. The braces areconnected by a cross member attached to the braces at a first end. Aflattened member, referred to herein as a tongue also extends from thecross member between the braces and toward the end of the bracesopposite the cross member. The cross member biases the position of thetongue between the braces such that the space between the tongue and thebraces is in a “normally closed” position (i.e., either the braces orthe tongue must move away from the other to fit an article between thebraces and the tongue).

In another embodiment, the invention is a clipping system that furtherincludes a decorative component. The cross member and the tongue of eachclip define holes in either or both of the tongue and cross member. Adecorative accessory can be attached to the clip via the holes, or twoclips can be used in conjunction across a single piece of fabric toattach a ribbon, a string of beads, or another laterally disposeddecorative element across the fabric. A button or pin can be used topenetrate through the decorative element and engage an appropriatelydefined hole in each clip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a decorative element connected to a pairof clips for holding textiles according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one clip according to this invention, the clipbeing in its normally closed position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the clip according to FIG. 2, the clip beingopened to form a space between a tongue and a pair of braces.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a folded fabric, such as a towel, having clipsin place on each side and decorative element extending across thefabric.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the folded fabric of FIG. 4, showing the bracesextending along a portion of the folded fabric, the braces connected bya base member on each clip.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The clip (10) according to this invention addresses an issue not seenbefore in clips of the prior art—making textiles and other foldedfabrics (30) maintain a folded position, look nice, and not show toomuch hardware associated with the clip (10). The clip (10) is adapted tohold the sides of a folded fabric (30) together. For purposes herein, afolded fabric is a generic term that encompasses any material that canbe folded, such as textile fabrics, non-woven fabrics, papers, towelsdish cloths, and the like. The term “folded fabric,” therefore, is notlimiting of the invention. Similarly, the term “textiles” may be used inthis document in its broadest sense and does not limit the kinds offolded articles or fabrics that may benefit from the clip of thisinvention.

The clip (10) according to this invention can be used as a single pieceof equipment for holding a single accessory via a tongue (13) on theclip (10). Alternatively, the clip (10) can be part of a clipping systemusing two clips (10A, 10B) on either side of a folded article. With twoclips attached to the article, a longer, transverse decorative element(20) can be held in place at each of its ends. In this case, thedecorative element can be a ribbon, a string of beads, a line ofconnected jewels, or any decoration that extends across a folded fabric(30). The clip (10) and the associated clipping system (10A, 10B) allowfor a folded fabric such as a towel to be secured to maintain itsplacement and its folded position. The decorative element, of course,adds an opportunity for aesthetic enhancement of the surrounding area.See FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows certain components of the clip (10) that make it veryuseful. The clip (10) includes a pair of braces (15A, 15B) defining aspace there between. The braces (15A, 15B) have first and second ends. Across member (17) connects the first ends of each brace (15). A tongue,or substantially flat portion, extends from the cross member towardsecond ends of the braces (15A, 15B). FIG. 2 shows the clip (10) from aside view. The braces (15A, 15B) may be rounded or contoured for morediversity in the size of the gap formed upon opening the clip (10).

The overall clip (10) is made of a resilient and deformation resistancematerial, such as a soft plastic or other polymer. The material allowsthe clip to be opened and closed, but the material of the clip (10) isflexible enough to maintain a “normally closed” position absent a forceseparating the tongue (13) and the braces (15A, 15B). In this regard,the cross member (17) biases the tongue (13) such that the tongue (13)rests between the braces. The tongue, therefore, is a flap of sorts thatpoints into the opening formed by the braces (15A, 15B) unless pulledaway from the braces by an outside and opposite force. The resilience ofthe material making up the clip (10) allows for many different sizes ofgaps formed between the tongue (13) and the braces (15A, 15B). In otherwords, the tongue (13) and the braces (15A, 15B) will move themselvesdirectly adjacent a folded fabric (30) moved into the gap (40) of theclips (10A, 10B). In this regard, the clip (10) of this invention doesnot require locking members or springs or other elements to fit manydifferent thicknesses of the folded fabric (30).

FIG. 3 shows a clip (10), according to this invention, that has beensubject to an opening force (42) to form the gap (40) between the tongue(13) and the braces (15A, 15B). The arrown of FIG. 3 shows that a sideof the folded fabric (30) slides into the gap (30). The tongue (13) andthe braces (15A, 15B) will squeeze against opposite portions of thefolded fabric. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, certain areas of the clip caninclude reinforcement members (23A) along regions of the clip (10) thatface the most stress in light of opening force (42). The clip (10)optionally includes a base member (28) that connects ends of the bracesopposite the cross member (17). As shown in FIG. 5, cross member (17)adds a smooth surface for engaging the folded fabric (30) to prevent anyunnecessary indentations or damage to the fabric. The braces mayoptionally include a rounded region (26) for additional decoration andfor a tighter fit against thinner fabrics.

Each clip (10) is adapted for holding a decoration thereon by holesdefined within the body of the clips (10). In one embodiment, the crossmember (17) defines a button hole (33) for receiving an associatedbutton (34) or post. The button (34) slides through a slit in thedecorative element (20) and engages the button hole (33) in the crossmember (17) of the clip (10). By having clips (10A, 10B) at both sidesof the folded fabric, the an elongated decorative element (20) stretchesacross the folded fabric. The decorative element (20) can be of anytype—beads, jewels, metal strips, fabrics, ribbons, and the like.

The clip (10) also allows for attaching single accessories (buttons,snaps, individual items) to the tongue (13) via a groove (36) in thetongue (13). The holes and grooves in each clip (10) allow for moreindividual accessories that do not stretch across from one end toanother. Instead, individual accessories are mounted independently oneither side of the folded fabric. The clip (10) further allows forattaching a strap (not shown) to the clip by either of the openings.This strap can be used by retailers for displaying folded articleshanging by the strap.

The clip (10) is resilient due to the material from which it is made andby the fact that the clip is of a single piece construction with fewerseams or connectors to fail during use.

In the specification and drawings, typical embodiments of the inventionhave been disclosed and, although specific terms have been employed,they have been used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not forpurposes of limitation. Different kinds of materials and decorativeelements may be substituted for the parts disclosed herein and stillfall within the ambit of the invention. The invention is further setforth in the claims below.

1. A clip for holding textiles in a folded position, the clip beingformed of a flexible material that resists deformation, the clipcomprising: a pair of braces defining an opening between said braces,said braces having respective first and second ends; a cross memberconnected to said braces at said first ends; a tongue extending fromsaid cross member toward said respective second ends of said braces;said cross member biasing the position of said tongue such that saidtongue rests between said braces; said tongue being movable away fromsaid braces by a force substantially opposite the biasing of said crossmember.
 2. A clip according to claim 1, wherein said braces are curvedlegs defining the opening.
 3. A clip according to claim 1, wherein saidcross member defines a button opening.
 4. A clip according to claim 2,further comprising a button for attaching a decorative element to theclip by inserting said button through said decorative element and intothe button opening.
 5. A clip according to claim 1, wherein said tonguedefines a groove for connecting an accessory to said tongue.
 6. A clipaccording to claim 1, further comprising a base member connected saidsecond ends of said braces.
 7. A clip according to claim 1, wherein saidlegs, said cross member, and said tongue are of a single piececonstruction.
 8. A clip according to claim 1, wherein said clip isformed of a resilient polymeric material.
 9. A clipping system forholding folded towels in a fixed position, the clipping systemcomprising a pair of clips defining at least one button hole in eachclip for attaching a decorative element by a respective button that fitsinto each clip.
 10. A clipping system according to claim 9, wherein saidclips hold respective sides of the folded towel and said clips arealigned across from one another such that said decorative elementconnects at opposite ends to a respective clip and extends across thefolded towel.
 11. A clipping system according to claim 9, wherein eachclip defines at least one groove and further comprising a respectiveaccessory connected to each clip by fitting into a respective groove.12. A clipping system according to claim 9, wherein each clip comprisesa single piece construction of a pliable material that allows the clipto create an adjustable opening for receiving the folded towel.
 13. Aclipping system according to claim 9, wherein said pliable material is amolded plastic.
 14. A clipping system according to claim 9, wherein eachclip comprises: a pair of braces defining an opening between saidbraces, said braces having respective first and second ends; a crossmember connected to said braces at said first ends; a tongue extendingfrom said cross member toward said respective second ends of saidbraces; said cross member biasing the position of said tongue such thatsaid tongue rests between said braces; said tongue being movable awayfrom said braces by a force substantially opposite the biasing of saidcross member.
 15. A clipping system for holding folded towels in a fixedposition, the clipping system comprising a pair of clips for engagingopposite sides of the folded towel, each clip comprising: a cross memberhaving a first side and a second side; a pair of curved braces extendingfrom said first side of said cross member, said curved braces engagingthe surface of the folded towel and extending across a portion of thefolded towel; a tongue extending from said second side of said crossmember and positioned between said curved braces to form an adjustablegap for inserting a side of the folded towel between said braces andsaid tongue; wherein at least one of said tongue and said cross memberdefines a respective opening in either said tongue or said cross member.16. A clipping system according to claim 15, wherein each respectivecross member of each clip defines an opening for engaging a button thatholds a decorative element on the folded towel.
 17. A clipping systemaccording to claim 15, wherein said decorative element is a ribbon. 18.A clipping system according to claim 15, wherein said decorative elementis a band.
 19. A clipping system according to claim 15, wherein eachrespective tongue of each clip defines an opening for holding anaccessory on each clip.
 20. A clipping system according to claim 19,wherein said accessory comprises a colored design.